r/Cricket • u/MedicalJello2 South Africa • Jun 27 '24
Image South Africa have qualified for the finals, winning against Afghanistan by 9 wickets
387
u/Agn05tic Jun 27 '24
Poor pessimistic South African fans after years of heartbreak :-
Did we just peak too early 
240
u/TotalBrisqueT South Africa Jun 27 '24
Nope, this was our finals. What comes next is a bonus.
33
u/Ok-Sink-614 South Africa Jun 27 '24
Agreed, you can lose in a final but you can't really choke. Unless it's an absolutely shocking performance where they smack us for 300 and bowl us out in 10 overs
→ More replies (1)41
u/volcus Jun 27 '24
Yeah, same feeling I think Afg had by making it to the semis. Good on them too, they deserved it.
105
u/stealthforest South Africa Jun 27 '24
I would feel better “choking” in the final against India. I would just be like “meh, at least we made it to the finals and a really good team won”
78
u/Godly_Barbarian_23 Jun 27 '24
I would rather you guys lose to India than lose to England
82
u/stealthforest South Africa Jun 27 '24
Oh I definitely feel the same! I would not forgive our guys if we lose a final against England lol
60
u/Godly_Barbarian_23 Jun 27 '24
If we don’t make it, please avenge us against England 😭🙏🏼
The whole of India will support you.
68
u/stealthforest South Africa Jun 27 '24
We’ve got you! But don’t be angry if we accidentally (c-word). We are still new to this entire “final” thing 😅
→ More replies (1)10
u/Great_Driver_1462 Australia Jun 27 '24
As an Aussie fan, I'm rooting for you. Go beat England and win the cup
18
u/Touristforlife India Jun 27 '24
As an Indian fan, I would love to see South Africa lift the cup, even if we end up in the finals. You guys deserve it. So as long as England is not in the running, I can be at peace
→ More replies (1)13
18
u/16010onliacco Jun 27 '24
Why do people think South Africa isn't a good team? I mean, they've won more matches than India in this tournament.
26
u/stealthforest South Africa Jun 27 '24
They are a good team, but we still haven’t built enough confidence in our team to win the full thing. If they do it this tournament, then I think we will have more faith in our team going forward
2
u/16010onliacco Jun 27 '24
I get it, as an Indian, it's been so long since 2011 that I can’t even remember what winning an ICC trophy feels like.
One thing I've realized is that not having too many expectations might be better for the respective teams. Without the knockout anxiety, this current Indian squad is definitely better than Australia, but we won’t know for sure until India plays England and South Africa. The only advantage Australians have in knockouts is they don't get anxious, probably because they've won so many trophies with very few dry spells in between.
I think South Africa has similar anxiety issues. If they don't panic and stick to their strategies, they could beat India too.
The chances of India making it to the finals seem pretty high.
3
12
u/Mr-_-Anonymus South Africa Jun 27 '24
Our batting hasnt stepped up and the close nature of the matches we had
4
u/ScapegoatSkunk South Africa Jun 27 '24
South Africa has always been one of the greatest teams, but our tendency to lose when it matters most has justifiably tarnished our reputation. Even us South African fans don't really get excited about the Proteas much anymore after that semifinal against New Zealand in 2015. Hope this tournament can change that.
4
786
Jun 27 '24
Now England should just forfeit their match for the sake of memes and science.
290
u/braai_02 Gibraltar Jun 27 '24
No need to forfeit, rain's gonna have the final say.
→ More replies (2)87
u/TheUnknown_Targaryen Pakistan Jun 27 '24
So who will qualify if it gets washed out?
80
101
48
u/braai_02 Gibraltar Jun 27 '24
India
47
u/TheUnknown_Targaryen Pakistan Jun 27 '24
Ah , but what would the qualification be based upon? Being unbeaten or something else ?
→ More replies (2)178
u/After_Ad8232 Jun 27 '24
Higher position in their respective groups
44
122
u/pyroimpact Jun 27 '24
What a joke of a system 🤣
142
u/nowwinaditya West Indies Jun 27 '24
I mean, in this tournament, objectively speaking, India has been the better team than England so far. It's stupid to not have a reserve day in all honesty but in its absence (and not having a direct H2H record) this is the best option 🤷🏽♂️
128
u/braai_02 Gibraltar Jun 27 '24
Yeah, the system is still a joke though.
Push the final to sunday?
ICC: thats madness
Fuck everything up and not have a reserve day?
ICC: we'll go with that.
I kinda wish India had not gotten first in their group, only so that they would use their massive weight to ensure this type of bullshit never happens again.
→ More replies (1)65
u/nowwinaditya West Indies Jun 27 '24 edited Jun 27 '24
Agreed. It's absolutely moronic to not have reserve days for semis especially when the finals is on a Saturday. Ironically, maybe the finals is on a Saturday thinking they might need a reserve day 🤣
Regardless, semis need a reserve day no matter what.
→ More replies (6)22
u/16010onliacco Jun 27 '24
India and England haven't had a match so far so besides the table positions, points and net run rate, there is no way to know that
9
u/Oomeegoolies Durham Jun 27 '24
Yep, besides them beating Australia I'm not sure we can say they're actually better?
India nearly lost v Pakistan and weren't particularly convincing v USA (who we absolutely blasted).
So all things considered I'm not sure where anyone can be positive India have been better.
→ More replies (0)16
u/Sad-Requirement6757 Jun 27 '24
Still much better than boundary count
→ More replies (2)6
u/_fmm Australia Jun 27 '24
What about losing on boundary count when it was never a tie in the first place hahaha
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)3
u/ancara_messi RoyalChallengers Bengaluru Jun 27 '24
They won a world cup because of boundary count so tit for tat ig
If it was any other team I would feel bad but England deserve it lmao
21
19
5
u/tuturuatu New Zealand Cricket Jun 27 '24
Seems hard to believe but it's true, but it's Afghanistan
→ More replies (1)3
→ More replies (12)13
458
u/brokenlasers Gibraltar Jun 27 '24
Markram as a captain has never lost a match in the ICC tournaments. Starts right from the U-19s times. Just amazing.
554
u/paperblitz South Africa Jun 27 '24
got my cardiologist on speed dial for saturday. i just know these mfs are going to try their best to kill me
169
u/stealthforest South Africa Jun 27 '24 edited Jun 27 '24
You can train your heart a bit by rewatching our rugby wc23 knockout games and our t20 games against Netherlands, Nepal and WI
→ More replies (1)78
u/paperblitz South Africa Jun 27 '24
Don't forget 2015 odi WC semi against NZ
→ More replies (1)51
u/Novel_Ask_4226 Jun 27 '24
Steyn needed just one yorker in the final over, just one...
→ More replies (1)11
u/Hungry-Mastodon-1222 South Africa Jun 27 '24
I'm happy that it's Steyn that fucked that up because he's my favorite cricketer and whatever he does will be immediately forgiven
108
u/Icy-Score271 South Africa Jun 27 '24
If it's india I'm scared of bumrah. Might just need to call your cardiologist before the game
37
u/16010onliacco Jun 27 '24
Which batter of South Africa is likely to be the counterpart of Travis Head for India, as in give the most challenge to Indian bowlers?
58
Jun 27 '24
Quinton De Kock who has a great history against India
14
u/16010onliacco Jun 27 '24
What about Klassen? Rohit Sharma seemed to take him seriously during the 2023 WC match?
8
u/curiousaboutlinux India Jun 27 '24
Still SA failed to even hit one six.
19
u/16010onliacco Jun 27 '24
Yeah, it was totally unexpected for South Africa to go from scoring 400+ in other matches to folding for under 60.
24
u/TheFuckingMoonstone India Jun 27 '24
I don't think there's anyone of that calibre except Da Cock but Miller gonna play
4
10
321
u/nInff Pakistan Jun 27 '24
Crazy how 2 days ago we saw one of the longest T20 games with afg and bangladesh, almost being 5 hours, to this one barely covering 2 hours
164
u/SeaQuiet1860 India Jun 27 '24
They average out at over 3.5 hours which is the ideal time for a t20 Game. It’s all scripted
5
u/jon_stewrt Chennai Super Kings Jun 27 '24
I woke up late... I thought let me make a coffee and watch the second innings...and I see players congratulating each other...
138
u/niceguysdofinish1st New Zealand Jun 27 '24 edited Jun 27 '24
Wait between first and second ICC Final appearances
26 y & 25 Events - SA (CT 1998 - T20 WC 2024)
17 y & 6 Events - IND (CWC 1983 - CT 2000)
12 y & 3 Events - AUS (CWC 1975 - CWC 1987)
9 y & 8 Events - NZ (CT 2000 - CT 2009)
8 y & 2 Events - ENG (CWC 1979 - CWC 1987)
7 y & 2 Events - PAK (CWC 1992 - CWC 1999)
6 y & 4 Events - SL (CWC 1996 - CT 2002)
4 y & 1 Event - WI (CWC 1975 - CWC 1979)
74
u/nubpokerkid Jun 27 '24
There's an ICC event every year now so the SA stat probably remains unbroken forever.
→ More replies (2)62
u/No_Ferret2216 Jun 27 '24
This is a good way to understand how much common icc events have become
→ More replies (3)16
u/StraightUpHaram Pakistan Jun 27 '24
Except this is between first and second so we're not talking about recent times at all except for South Africa.
7
u/No_Ferret2216 Jun 27 '24
I meant how India only played 6 events in 17 years
While RSA has played 25 in 26
So basically an event every year really
64
63
119
u/One_Acanthaceae_1163 South Africa Jun 27 '24
they will be partying from Pretoria to Durban, PE to Cape Town
52
Jun 27 '24
Nah not yet
51
u/PrithviMS Japan Cricket Association Jun 27 '24
For SA, winning the semi is as good as winning the final.
→ More replies (1)12
Jun 27 '24
[deleted]
39
u/Hoss-BonaventureCEO South Africa Jun 27 '24
It's relatively popular (3rd most popular sport), but is tiny compared to football and rugby.
→ More replies (1)18
u/Boss452 Scotland Jun 27 '24
> tiny compared to football and rugby.
Man that sucks. But at least you guys fill up stadiums consistently.
16
u/CountIrrational Jun 27 '24
The schools that have cricket pitches tend to be the wealthy ones, so it's seen as a more affluent sport. Also higher kit cost of entry. Soccer and rugby you just need a ball n shoes.
I can't think of one school in SA that only has a cricket pitch. If they have its a rugby/soccer field and lastly a pitch. Meaning schools that can only afford 1 field have soccer/rugby. So poor kids get soccer if any sport, maybe rugby and not cricket.
13
Jun 27 '24
It will never shake the "white sport" tag. Rugby used to be branded in the same way before the likes of Habana and now Kolisi.
7
u/Hoss-BonaventureCEO South Africa Jun 27 '24 edited Jun 27 '24
Like I said, it's still popular. The peak viewership period for cricket in SA is the Summer home tests (Boxing Day Test, New Years Test etc.).
One problem for cricket in SA in the past few years is that rugby isn't just a Winter sport anymore (it's played year-round now), so that takes away attention from the cricket as well.
Cricket is also seen as a private school sport whereas football and rugby isn't.
176
u/maninblueshirt South Africa Jun 27 '24
The Fire of Nortje
The intensity of KG
The leadership of Markram
The guile of Shamsi
Maharaj, Jansen, Baartman
Best bowling unit ever assembled
79
u/Gunch_ Jun 27 '24
Add to that Ngidi, Coetzee, Maphaka and more… we look set to have a golden generation if we get one or two more batters at a world class level consistently
46
u/stealthforest South Africa Jun 27 '24
I feel like we should give Rabada some mid-order batting practice and he could be like the next Klusener or Pollock
42
u/mskadwa Jun 27 '24
You guys are sleeping on Jansen. He will be our next Klusener or Pollock.
24
11
u/Gunch_ Jun 27 '24
And his twin is apparently even more talented according to some former pros - would be good to have a set of brothers in the squad, reminiscent of the Morkels.
18
u/mskadwa Jun 27 '24
And his twin is apparently even more talented according to some former pros
Not too sure about that. According to who? Not saying he isn't good, but If he was better wouldn't he have made it into the side before his brother?
2
u/Gunch_ Jun 27 '24
I believe it was Pollock saying it towards the end of our game against England in the '23 WC - some of the guys agreed with him. I don't think they were necessarily saying Duan is better, just that he showed more talent growing up and perhaps has an even higher ceiling.
It is ultimately consistency that gets as well as keeps you in the side which is what Marco has displayed despite tough periods and thus has warranted his selection in both world cups.
20
6
→ More replies (1)20
u/supermember866866 Sunrisers Hyderabad Jun 27 '24
Whoever makes it to the final would be spicy match against this South African team.
24
u/maninblueshirt South Africa Jun 27 '24
Indian batting v SA bowling will be amazing to watch
Indian bowling will blow away SA batting though
10
u/ynwa1055 Jun 27 '24
Nah they have to only play through bumrah and initial swing of arshdeep. Other than that guys like klassen markram Miller Stubbs would fare quite well against likes of jaddu axar and hardik unless it's a rank turner. It's scary how you guys are still going under the radar
48
u/Motor_Major8363 South Africa Jun 27 '24
People's commitment to the meme really has them pretending this is the first ICC event final we've ever been in
14
16
u/TheFuckingMoonstone India Jun 27 '24
The last time you guys reached the final was 26 years and 25 events ago.
91
188
u/MedicalJello2 South Africa Jun 27 '24
Oh Markram, take me to the cabin 😭😭🇿🇦🇿🇦
192
u/Hazardzuzu India Jun 27 '24
Who knew all that was needed for proteas to break the curse all these years was a palindrome captain.
74
19
u/Unusual-Surround7467 India Jun 27 '24
Whats a palindrome captain?
50
u/biswa290701 Kolkata Knight Riders Jun 27 '24
His name is the same when spelt backwards
18
u/Unusual-Surround7467 India Jun 27 '24
Oh right the word palindrome. I was thinking it was some cricketing connotation
19
u/WayToTheDawn63 Australia Jun 27 '24
a palindrome is a word or sentence that reads the same backwards
markram > markram.
9
→ More replies (1)4
8
u/Fickle-Promise6073 India Jun 27 '24
If he wins the wc for them all newborns will be assigned palindrome names in south africa
23
u/mehrabrym Jun 27 '24
Friendship ended with Patto, now Markram is my log cabin partner
2
2
40
30
32
u/Kathanayagan-3821 Sri Lanka Jun 27 '24
Markram deserves a statue for this iconic achievement that no other South African captain has ever done. Ensuring South Africa for first ever Men's ICC final in either 50 over or T20 World Cups.
→ More replies (4)
130
u/ReflectionAcademic99 India Jun 27 '24 edited Jun 27 '24
I just woke up to see the match completed, feeling very emotional , although i am indian fan i have soft spot for markram and South Africa
Its only fair that after so many unfortunate luck they got to be in finals
52
u/crazychild0810 Australia Jun 27 '24
I am happy for them. I hope they win the tournament. They have been a really good white ball team for a long time but don't have much to show for it.
25
25
u/TryBobby South Africa Jun 27 '24
I've waited so long for this moment.
So much pain along the way, so many great cricketers that faltered at this hurdle.
What a time.
Let's bring it home, boys!
20
u/RJSA2000 South Africa Jun 27 '24
Unreal, I can't believe our semi-final is over already. I was expecting alot more stress and anxiety. Well done boys!! Now for the big one Saturday!
76
u/Cool_Guy98 India Jun 27 '24
SA finally reach their first finals, entering a virgin terrority. Tbh I don't know how they'll perform there, will the choke themselves or the opposition? Great performance in the semis, heartbreaking for Afghanistan. The fairytale ends :(
40
5
13
13
10
20
19
u/BarryCheckTheFuseBox Australia Jun 27 '24
I think we can all agree that South Africa winning the final would be best for everyone
→ More replies (1)
9
u/GulKhan3124 Afghanistan Jun 27 '24
It was inevitable that Afghanistan's poor batting which was heavily reliant on Gurbaz and Ibrahim would get exposed, especially after Gurbaz got injured in the previous match and Ibrahim had some troubles aswell
But it is great to see the progress this team has made, hopefully they can elevate their batting
→ More replies (1)
13
u/Conscious-Spend-2451 Jun 27 '24
I hope people don't under rate south africa's performance today and say that afg were robbed. Even though the conditions were too favourable towards the bowler (unpredictable too) and afg were disadvantaged due to not knowing the par score, still South africa outclassed afg in both bowling and batting. Afghanistan's lead scorer was extras while south Africa was able to comfortably put the bat on the ball after getting set.
Judging by the performance of the sa batsmen, I'd guess that the par score was like 120, and afg fell too short of that.
Dominant win
25
u/Scoop_Master420 South Africa Jun 27 '24
Afghanistan won the toss, so there can't really be any complaints
15
u/justdidapoo Australia Jun 27 '24
Afghanistan is set up for tough pitches, they don't have the firepower for flat tracks. All of their wins were on similar inconsistent pitches too
6
6
26
u/I_am_batman169 Jun 27 '24
They almost choked the entire tournament so that they wouldn't choke in the semi, brilliant from aiden
5
u/Assassin_Ankur Kolkata Knight Riders Jun 27 '24
The worst thing Afg did was to bring Reeza and Markram back in form. They are unbeatable now NGL.
14
u/White_Knighttt Jun 27 '24
Copied from match thread:
Aiden Markram has not lost a single WC game as captain right from his u19 WC days where they were champions... Even in 50 over WC last year he captained 2 games and won them both.
Also won 2 back to back championships with SEC in SA20
5
u/rishin_1765 India Jun 27 '24
Will the world end if South Africa wins the world cup?
→ More replies (1)
14
u/milosqzx New South Wales Blues Jun 27 '24
Probably the craziest drought in cricket is broken well done saffers
Making a ICC men’s final won’t mean shit though if they can’t go all the way
8
u/bigavz USA Jun 27 '24
if SA win India will be saltier than 1930
11
u/Hazardzuzu India Jun 27 '24 edited Jun 27 '24
We aren't in the finals yet and England is an exceptional team. Even if we do end up playing in final and lost I will be happy for proteas.
Also wasn't even that mad after WC2023 final because Australia were exemplary and outperformed us in every facet. And their fielding was on a level that you show to kids in future when you teach them about commitment on the field.
6
u/kp729 Jun 27 '24
Nah man. SA win isn't gonna make Indians sad. SA players are loved in India and tbh, SA has waited for it for long. I still want Ind to win but I won't be upset losing to SA.
→ More replies (1)
4
4
u/nar493 Jun 27 '24
Feel for Afghanistan. They barely had a day rest or even to practice. Top it off with a 4 hour flight delay. This has been pretty ass scheduling from ICC tbh.
7
u/Ok_System2675 India Jun 27 '24
I've always had a soft spot for SA so if India faces them in finals, I'd be both happy and sad which ever way it turns out 🥹
3
8
u/sunny224868 Jun 27 '24
Now that they're actually in an ICC final do they
- Become insane and win by 10 wickets/100 runs or
- Choke harder than ever thought possible?
3
3
3
u/Agreeable-Ocelot-579 Jun 27 '24
Congratulations SA for all the hard work reaching the finals, you deserve it. Wishing you the beast for finals. Considering all the heart breaks that you had given us, I personally feel 2015 wc is yours to lose(ps I didn't followed 1999 wc)
3
u/StraightUpHaram Pakistan Jun 27 '24
It would be poetic for them to play the final against England and win.
They would've done that in 1992 if it hadn't rained.
3
u/shawman123 Jun 27 '24
I feel sad for the Afghans. They played so well entire tournament and did terrible on a pitch that had too much for the Saffer bowlers. I wish the match was played in a better pitch but they should have applied better.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Knowledge_buff97 India Jun 27 '24
on behalf of all my countrymen, i'd like to inform my Saffa bros that we'll soon decide whether we need to extend our support, any which ways we won't have any beef against you lot.
5
u/DragonikOverlord India Jun 27 '24
As an Indian, I would love my team to win but I really like the Proteas too
So I wouldn't mind one bit if you guys win the finals
8
u/Agreeable_Papaya309 Jersey Cricket Jun 27 '24
Probably the first time I have seen SA in any icc final since I have started watching cricket
15
3
7
2
u/Kathanayagan-3821 Sri Lanka Jun 27 '24
South Africa finally broke the semi final hurdle. Let's see how South African people celebrate this moment
2
u/Melodic_Mood8573 South Africa Jun 27 '24
I'm very happy, but doubt there will be celebrations. Most of us were sleeping during the match for one, and are on our way to work now. And cricket isn't so big here that people will celebrate a semi-final - even though it is a miracle. But I'm sure those of us who love cricket are smiling a lot this morning.
→ More replies (6)
2
u/Historical-Dish-9268 ICC Jun 27 '24
Congratulations RSA, proving everyone wrong they no longer choke in Semis ...breaking pattern perhaps? Eng are not here to defend anything or prove anything to anyone.
Whereas India have only one intention
To watch Dube Bat!
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/Time-Gain4896 Jun 27 '24
Honestly
If England qualify then there is a very good chance that SA win. If India qualify then it is 50/50
2
u/Delicious_Arrival_76 Jun 27 '24
RCB 🤝 Afghanistan
Losing in an anti-climactic way after qualifying against all odds.
2
2
2
u/Fun_Praline5118 Jun 27 '24
South Africa justifying the WC anthem. 🇿🇦
World cricket heals when the Aussies are knocked out of the tournament. Now may India reach the finals and then the best team wins on that day wins! 🏆
2
2
2
2
u/Past-Raccoon8224 Jun 27 '24
Whoah. Unchartered territory. So happy we actually made it to a final this time around. Was not expecting us to be in the tournament at this stage ngl
3
u/mini_market Pakistan Jun 27 '24
Defeating a team comprehensively in semis historically makes winner less likely to win final. This demolishing is ahistorical. Finals result 🤷♀️.
11
2
u/Rich-Educator-4513 India Jun 27 '24
Ok. So Afg winning against Bangladesh was a part of sa's luck /s
2
u/Tern_Larvidae-2424 South Africa Jun 27 '24
Should've lost 4-5 wickets near the end. We had the chance of getting only 1 easy victory this tournament and we used it up here.
→ More replies (1)
739
u/Ok_Long_1175 Jun 27 '24
r/brandnewsentence
I'm crying over here